ISWAN Launches Campaign to Promote Allyship and Safety for Women at Sea

ISWAN is launching a campaign titled ‘Safe at sea…it takes all of us!’ to highlight the importance of men seafarers supporting their women colleagues. The campaign aims to address issues of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence faced by women in the maritime industry, as statistics show that women are more likely to contact helplines for such issues compared to men. ISWAN, with support from partners like The Seafarers’ Charity and UK P&I Club, will be rolling out the campaign online, at sea, and in industry hubs worldwide, with hashtags #CrewAllySHIP and #WeAllBelong to follow on social media.

The campaign stems from conversations with seafarers and maritime stakeholders who shared their experiences and challenges faced by women at sea. Through real voices and stories, the aim is to create a collective responsibility and allyship culture onboard ships where everyone can feel safe and thrive. ISWAN’s Campaign Lead Georgia Allen emphasized the importance of consulting seafarers and building the campaign based on their actual needs and experiences, rather than making decisions on their behalf. The goal is for this campaign to initiate long-term change and commitment within the sector for a safe and inclusive maritime environment.

ISWAN’s ‘Safe at sea…it takes all of us!’ campaign will also provide resources for seafarers and maritime stakeholders on building a safe and inclusive culture at sea, reinforcing the message of allyship and collective responsibility for all crew members. The initiative aligns with other efforts towards inclusion, such as the Seafarers’ Hospital Society (SHS) pilot project offering free feminine hygiene products to women working at sea. Through these initiatives and ongoing conversations, the aim is to foster a supportive and inclusive environment within the maritime industry.

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